Axel Springer and Microsoft expand partnership in the areas of marketing, AI, content and Azure

Axel Springer and Microsoft have agreed on an expanded, comprehensive partnership in the areas of marketing, artificial intelligence (AI), content and cloud computing. The collaboration aims to leverage technological innovation to strengthen independent journalism worldwide.

The partnership will expand and deepen existing cooperation at various levels. The existing AdTech collaboration will be expanded to include POLITICO in the future. Based on their shared understanding of the principles and possibilities of responsibly used AI, both companies will work together to develop new AI-driven applications for their users. Users will also have access to more premium content from Axel Springer news brands via Microsoft Start/MSN . The media company will also migrate its SAP solutions to Microsoft Azure.

“In the new age of AI, partnerships are crucial to preserving and promoting independent journalism and a thriving media landscape,” said Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Axel Springer . “We are optimistic about the future of journalism and the opportunities that lie ahead This expanded partnership with Microsoft opens up for us.”

“This new generation of AI is transforming nearly every aspect of work and life, including the way people search for and consume content online,” said Satya Nadella , Chairman and CEO of Microsoft . “Our expanded partnership unites Axel Springers “Leadership in digital journalism with the full power of the Microsoft cloud – including our marketing solutions – to create innovative AI-driven experiences and unlock new opportunities for advertisers and users.”

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Important elements of the partnership are:

• Expansion of the AdTech collaboration to include POLITICO: Axel Springer will take over Microsoft Advertising as an ad server solution and expand the existing partnership from Europe to the USA . POLITICO will integrate Microsoft marketing technology as a comprehensive solution, reinforced by Axel Springer’s AdTech management and optimization layer “AdLib.” POLITICO will be integrated into the Microsoft marketing network, enabling advertisers to reach a broader audience.
• New AI applications and monetization:  Axel Springer will work with Microsoft to test innovative AI-based chat experiences in which users can be informed by and interact with Axel Springer’s journalistic content. The partnership will also further advance Axel Springer ‘s AI projects , building on projects such as the AI ​​assistant Hey_, which is based, among other things, on the Azure OpenAI service. In addition, Axel Springer will use Microsoft Advertising’s Chat Ads API to monetize generative AI.
• Additional content offerings through Microsoft Start/MSN:  Axel Springer is expanding its partnership with Microsoft Start/MSN to offer users access to more premium content from leading journalistic brands such as Business Insider, POLITICO, BILD, WELT and ONET, which serve millions of users across devices and reach markets.
• Microsoft Azure Expansion:  In addition to leveraging Azure AI capabilities for AI innovation, Axel Springer will also transform and migrate its SAP solutions to the Microsoft Azure cloud platform to improve scalability, reliability and performance in digital infrastructure.

Information about Axel Springer

Axel Springer is a media and technology company active in more than 40 countries. By providing information through its diverse media brands (including BILD, WELT, BUSINESS INSIDER, POLITICO) and classified portals (The Stepstone Group and AVIV Group), Axel Springer empowers people to make free decisions for their lives.

SOURCE: PRNewswire